I brace my arms against my desk and swallow.
I call Carlisle into my office, and he listens intently.
A short while after he departed, Carlisle calls, and an ache settles in the pit of my stomach.
Thatcher has kept up his end of the bargain far faster than I anticipated.
Now I have no choice but to allow them to parade me around like a prize.
It’s just another act. You and Elise know it, so as long as you keep putting on a show, everyone will get what they want.
There’s a bad taste in my mouth as I climb up the stairs and find London in my room, wearing a silk black nightgown that falls just past her knees. She takes me in and frowns.
“What’s wrong?”
My fingers move to the buttons of my shirt. “We need to talk about what happened in the hallway earlier, with that man who was fighting Katia.”
London is confused. “Okay.”
I let the shirt fall to the floor with a flutter. “You shouldn’t have intervened. Katia can handle herself.”
“You’re mad because I helped? I thought you wanted me to take a proactive role in keeping myself safe.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I meant by using a gun, not a vase.”
“It was the closest thing I could find,” London replies. “I know it’s not your weapon of choice, but it got the job done, didn’t it?”
I cross over to the nightstand, yank the drawer open, and pull out the gun. “This isn’t a prop, London. You need to learn how to use it.”
“I know.”
“Then why haven’t you asked Katia to teach you?”
“You mean besides the fact that I’m worried she might let me shoot myself a few times before she teaches me anything?”
I give her a pointed look.
London’s hands flutter at her sides. “I know I need to learn to protect myself, and that’s fine, but I’m not comfortable using a gun.”
I set it on the dresser table. “You need to learn how, though. For your safety.”
I need to know she can handle herself if things go sideways again.
What happens the next time they lure me into a trap?
Or if Katia is outmaneuvered?
London doesn’t waver. “I’ve already given up a lot, Mason, and I know I made that decision when I decided to be with you, but can’t I have this one thing for myself?”
I don’t know what I’m supposed to say to that.
London searches my face. “I know things got a whole lot worse, and I will ask Katia to teach me. Just… not yet.”
I nod.
“There’s something else.” I’m choosing my words carefully. “The terms of my alliance with Elise Thayer have changed.”
London clears her throat. “I had a feeling they would.”
